Tomorrow it is December 1st and the Big Christmas Preparation Rush begins! Christmas is a day of wonder and amazement, with plenty of blessings, if we take the time to relish them. Problem is, most of us simply want to do too much!
We have memories of our childhood Christmases which were fairytales. We want the same for our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and ourselves. We feel that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without many things happening. All these things don't substitute for any events in our lives - they are extra! It takes lots of planning and work to add more things to our already overburdened calendars.
My Happy Memory #1 is baking and eating lots of beautiful, yummy Christmas cookies with my mother and grandmother. I did the same with my children. For weeks, when they were in school, I baked and baked: chocolate chip, peanut butter chip, chocolate with peanut butter chips, colored cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, coconut cookies, cherry cookies, and many more. Then when the kids came home for vacation, we took a special day for cut-out cookies. They chose their cookie cutters and, when they were cooled, they decorated them with different colors of icing. They loved it, got to keep and eat their work.
The kitchen ended up with flour just about everywhere. About the time it started to bother me, The Cook, Daughter #3, Cathy, age 12, declared that she would take charge of the day. I didn't even peek in the kitchen, knowing what the results would be, but didn't mind cleaning up afterwards.
I tried to hide the cookies so there would be enough left to eat during Christmas and the week following. It was hard! My most successful year was when I gleefully wrapped them in freezer paper, labeled them "FISH," and put them in the freezer.
This tradition continued long after they were grown and had left home. I baked hundreds of cookies, put them in round tin boxes, and gave them out to family, friends and neighbors.
One Christmas season I was seriously trying to lose weight. I knew that I always gained several pounds over the holidays, mostly due to the cookies I could not resist. I decided to BAKE NO COOKIES! Guess what? Not even one person asked, "Jan, didn't you bake cookies this year?" And I haven't baked any since! But I'm tempted to bake, this year, just for nostalgia.
Other traditions include giving presents to all family, all friends, folks like newspaper deliverer, mail person, and other helpers, plus those at work. This can get really expensive! It's very hard to stick to your budget - generosity gets in the way!
I used to sew an incredible, ambitious list of Christmas gifts for immediate family. Despite my speedy expertise (back then), I ended up one Christmas Eve staying up till about 4 a.m. finishing up. On another Christmas Day, I started sewing the last Christmas gift when the rest of my family left for church!
My dear mother used to scold me every year because I never could send Christmas cards until after Christmas, try as I might! She told me, "Why bother?" It was not until after her death that I actually sent them out before Christmas! I hoped my mother in heaven saw how I had improved!
Then there's the house and tree decorating. Add in concerts, parties, Christmas light viewing, and plays, we need lots of energy to even attempt to accomplish all our plans!
So, is it possible to be realistic and rational about holiday plans? I'm trying to make a list of things to do, places to go, and try not to 'over-schedule.' I've got the Christmas cards out ready to address; Christmas postage is already bought.
This year, I plan to make one batch of Christmas cookies, German Springerle. I have mother and grandmother's recipe. For years, I've had the special rolling pin it takes. They are quite pretty and delicious - different, if I remember from my youth. I just would like the family to taste them, for our German tradition.
As far as gifts, I must stick to my budget so I'll try not to go overboard and get into debt,
I have the list of Advent church services and Christmas services. I'll have to choose so I don't miss any. I really want to get into the 'spirit' of Christmas: celebrating Jesus' birthday!
Dear God, more than accomplish all our "to do" lists, please help us all capture the true meaning of this Holyday, Christmas! Please help us be ready in our hearts!
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| What a Joy it is to see my neighbor's Christmas lights finished tonight! We who live nearby will get to enjoy this display for a whole month! |
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